Alja Kavčič

I think that curiosity is an essential trait for all researchers. There’s a special feeling about being a part of something that has the potential to change current perspectives, expand knowledge and to contribute to human progress.

Alja Kavčič, MD, PhD, is a Pediatrician at the Department for Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of the University Clinical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia.

As a pediatrician specializing in neonatology, Dr. Kavčič combines clinical expertise with a strong academic background. After earning her medical degree in 2017 as one of the top students, she completed a pediatric residency in 2023 and now works at the Department of Neonatology at the Children’s Hospital of the University Clinical Centre Ljubljana. 

The research was a part of her doctoral dissertation and focuses on EEG-derived (EEG: electroencephalogram) functional brain network analysis in children with perinatal stroke, revealing connections between brain network organization and cognitive abilities. This innovative methodology has the potential to advance neurodevelopmental research and improve therapeutic approaches.

Pioneering insights into brain networks after perinatal stroke in children

This study investigates functional brain networks in children and adolescents after perinatal stroke using EEG connectivity. It examines how brain network organization relates to cognitive functions such as intelligence, visual-motor integration, and attention, aiming to improve understanding of neurodevelopment after perinatal stroke.

The research found that children with perinatal stroke have less hierarchically organized brain networks, correlated with lower intellectual abilities, and stronger interhemispheric connections, linked to attention disorders. By leveraging EEG the study demonstrates its potential for monitoring cognitive functions and guiding targeted rehabilitation treatments.

According to the available literature, this is the first study to analyze functional brain networksbased on EEG connectivity in this context. It explores the under-researched area of functional brain networks and their correlation with cognitive deficits in children after perinatal stroke, including lower intelligence, poorer visual-motor integration, and attention deficits.

The findings provide a foundation for future research and open possibilities for developing targeted rehabilitation treatments. EEG, being safe, repeatable, and non-invasive, was successfully repurposed in this study for innovative diagnostic applications, highlighting its value in pediatric neuroscience.

The clinical significance of this research lies in the predictive value of EEG-based brain connectivity, which reflects cognitive abilities, and therefore shows potential for estimating treatment efficiency and guiding rehabilitation strategies for children with perinatal stroke.

Where neurology meets neonatology

I always had a special interest in biology, especially in the processes occurring in the human body. In my student years, I became most fascinated by neurology but then decided on a residency in pediatrics, mainly because I liked the different approach. Later, the field of neonatology opened to me, and this is human biology at its core – from fetal to early human development and the development of the central nervous system – and so I reached my final destination.

For Dr. Kavčič, it's all about following her passion for understanding human biology. Her journey from neurology to pediatrics and ultimately to neonatology reflects her desire to explore the foundational aspects of human development. What she values most about her profession is its dynamic nature, the constant opportunities to learn, and the perspective it gives her on what truly matters in life.